Cairo Transformed: A Capital Reimagined as an Open-Air Museum
Egypt's capital is undergoing a historic transformation, emerging as a breathtaking open-air museum following an ambitious redevelopment campaign that has swept through every corner of the city. Once plagued by informal settlements, Cairo now stands as a testament to architectural elegance and urban renewal.
The Egyptian government has cleared and redeveloped Cairo's informal neighborhoods, reclaiming vast spaces to restore the city's cultural and historical grandeur. This transformation is most evident in iconic areas such as Downtown Cairo, the historic quarters of Al-Hussein, Al-Gamaleya, and Al-Muizz Street, as well as prominent public squares like Tahrir Square and Talaat Harb Square. Development efforts are also underway in Ramses Square, Al-Sayeda Aisha Square, and other central hubs.
Tahrir Square: A Showcase of Ancient Glory
Tahrir Square, the symbolic heart of modern Cairo, has been reimagined as a vibrant cultural landmark. A towering ancient obelisk now stands at its center, surrounded by four pharaonic ram statues. A newly designed three-tiered fountain gracefully encircles the artifacts, with cascading water flowing over marble surfaces. The surrounding landscape has been planted with greenery, transforming the once-chaotic square into a serene and visually stunning space.
The Egyptian Museum in Tahrir has also benefited from enhanced exterior lighting, adding nighttime splendor to the historic institution. Meanwhile, palm trees and ornamental plants now adorn the square, and olive trees have been planted on the rooftop of the Tahrir garage. Comfortable benches line the new green spaces, offering relaxation for both locals and tourists, with a state-of-the-art lighting system illuminating the entire square.
Khedivial Cairo Restored
Downtown Cairo, known as Khedivial Cairo, is another gem being polished to perfection. Revered for its historical and architectural significance, the area has been meticulously restored to reflect its 19th-century elegance. Facades of old buildings have been refurbished, shopfronts unified, and sidewalk encroachments removed. The project is guided by the National Organization for Urban Harmony, which uses archival photographs to faithfully recreate the original aesthetics of the area.
Revamping Al-Sayeda Aisha Square
Significant progress is also being made at Al-Sayeda Aisha Square, near the Citadel. Vacated areas have been repurposed to serve tourists, with new service buildings adding both functionality and charm. The microbus terminal has been temporarily relocated, and demolition of select buildings is underway to make space for a pedestrian-only zone filled with parks and walkways. Plans also include rerouting Salah Salem Road through the nearby cemeteries to link directly with the Civilization's Axis, and removing the existing Al-Sayeda Aisha Bridge.
Reviving Historic Cairo
Cairo's historic heart—an area encircled by ancient walls and home to landmarks like Bab Al-Nasr, Bab Al-Futuh, Al-Muizz Street, and Al-Hussein Mosque—is the focus of a comprehensive restoration effort. The initiative covers five major zones, including extensive work around the Mosque of Al-Hakim Bi-Amr Allah. Ruins and neglected areas surrounding these heritage sites are being rejuvenated, creating a more inviting and historically resonant environment for residents and visitors alike.
Ramses Square: A Solution to Congestion
In Ramses Square, modernization is addressing one of Cairo's most pressing issues: traffic congestion. A multi-story parking facility is currently under construction to consolidate scattered transportation hubs and eliminate chaotic traffic patterns. A new ramp to the 6th of October Bridge will directly connect with the parking complex, and the bridge itself is being expanded in key sections to ease the flow of vehicles.
read more
Gold prices rise, 21 Karat at EGP 3685
NATO's Role in Israeli-Palestinian Conflict
US Expresses 'Strong Opposition' to New Turkish Military Operation in Syria
Shoukry Meets Director-General of FAO
Lavrov: confrontation bet. nuclear powers must be avoided
News
Iran Summons French Ambassador over Foreign Minister Remarks
News
Aboul Gheit Condemns Israeli Escalation in West Bank
News
Greek PM: Athens Plays Key Role in Improving Energy Security in Region
News
One Person Injured in Explosion at Ukrainian Embassy in Madrid
News
Egypt confirms denial of airspace access to US B-52 bombers
News
Ayat Khaddoura's Final Video Captures Bombardment of Beit Lahia
Lifestyle
Pistachio and Raspberry Cheesecake Domes Recipe
News
Australia Fines Telegram $600,000 Over Terrorism, Child Abuse Content
Arts & Culture
Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban's $4.7M LA Home Burglarized
Videos & Features
Bouchra Dahlab Crowned Miss Arab World 2025 .. Reem Ganzoury Wins Miss Arab Africa Title (VIDEO)
Sports
Former Al Zamalek Player Ibrahim Shika Passes away after Long Battle with Cancer
Sports
Neymar Announced for Brazil's Preliminary List for 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers
News
Prime Minister Moustafa Madbouly Inaugurates Two Indian Companies
Arts & Culture
New Archaeological Discovery from 26th Dynasty Uncovered in Karnak Temple
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CairoScene
21 hours ago
- CairoScene
Graeco-Roman Tombs With Hieroglyphic Texts Found Near Aga Khan
A joint Egyptian-Italian team discovered Graeco-Roman tombs with intact mummies and hieroglyphics near Aswan's Aga Khan Mausoleum, revealing a hidden layer of Egypt's ancient funerary landscape. Jul 06, 2025 A series of rock-cut tombs dating to the Graeco-Roman period has been discovered near the Aga Khan Mausoleum on Aswan's western bank. Unearthed by a joint Egyptian-Italian mission, the tombs feature preserved hieroglyphic inscriptions and architectural elements rarely seen in later-period burials. Among the finds is Tomb No. 38, situated over two metres underground and accessed by a nine-step staircase once used for funeral offerings. Inside, a two-metre-tall limestone sarcophagus rests on a platform carved from bedrock. Decorated with a human-shaped lid, stylised wig, and hieroglyphs, it names the tomb's owner as Ka-Mesiu, a high-ranking official, and references his family. Several mummies, including those of children, were also found. The site continues to offer insight into burial customs of different social classes during a time when Egyptian traditions mingled with Greco-Roman influences. The surrounding necropolis has been under study since 2019, with prior seasons revealing additional tombs and platforms carved into the slopes of nearby Sidi Othman mountain. The mission, led by Egypt's Supreme Council of Antiquities and the University of Milan, plans further analysis including CT scans and biological studies this autumn to deepen understanding of the individuals buried there.
Egypt Independent
a day ago
- Egypt Independent
Photos: Greek and Roman tombs discovered near Aga Khan Mausoleum in Aswan
A joint Egyptian-Italian archaeological mission, led by the Supreme Council of Antiquities and the University of Milan, discovered several rock-cut tombs dating back to the Greek and Roman periods, containing well-preserved hieroglyphic inscriptions. The discovery was made in the cemetery surrounding the Aga Khan Mausoleum on the West Bank of Aswan. Excavation work also revealed Tomb #38, prominent for its design and structural condition. It lies more than two meters underground and is led by a nine-step stone staircase surrounded by mudbrick terraces, which were used for placing funerary offerings. Inside the tomb, a limestone sarcophagus measuring approximately two meters in height was found, placed atop a rock platform carved directly into the mountain. It featured a human-shaped lid bearing the clear features of a human face, adorned with a wig and striking decorations, as well as two columns of hieroglyphic texts recording prayers to the local Aswan deities. The Secretary-General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities Mohamed Ismail Khaled explained that this discovery is clear evidence of the continued funerary use of the area by various social classes. Minister of Tourism and Antiquities Sherif Fathy hailed the discovery as a valuable addition to Aswan Governorate, showcasing the diversity and richness of ancient Egyptian civilization throughout the ages. He added that it further underscores the importance of international scientific cooperation in supporting archaeological discovery efforts, as the discovered tombs open new horizons for understanding the nature of local society in Aswan during the Ptolemaic and Roman periods.
Daily News Egypt
a day ago
- Daily News Egypt
Greco-Roman tombs with hieroglyphic inscriptions discovered in Aswan
In a major archaeological breakthrough, the Egyptian-Italian mission—formed through a partnership between Egypt's Supreme Council of Antiquities and the University of Milan—has uncovered a group of rock-cut tombs dating back to the Greco-Roman period near the Aga Khan Mausoleum in Aswan. The tombs, which form part of a larger cemetery surrounding the mausoleum, are notable for their well-preserved hieroglyphic inscriptions, offering new insights into funerary traditions during the Ptolemaic and Roman eras. Among the most significant finds this season is Tomb No. 38, distinguished by its architectural design and remarkable state of preservation. Located over two metres underground, the tomb is accessed via a stone staircase comprising nine steps, flanked by mudbrick platforms believed to have been used for placing funerary offerings. Inside, archaeologists discovered a two-metre-high limestone sarcophagus resting on a rock-carved platform. The sarcophagus features an anthropoid lid with a finely detailed human face, a traditional wig, and vivid decorative elements. Two vertical columns of hieroglyphic text offer prayers to the local deities of Aswan and identify the tomb's owner as Ka-Mesiu, a high-ranking official of the time. The names of several family members were also found inscribed within the tomb. Several mummies were recovered from the site, including those of children. Minister of Tourism and Antiquities Sherif Fathy hailed the discovery as a significant addition to Aswan's rich archaeological record, emphasising the depth and diversity of ancient Egyptian civilisation across successive eras. He also underscored the importance of international scientific collaboration, noting that such partnerships open new avenues for understanding the structure of local society in southern Egypt during the Greco-Roman period. The find reaffirms Aswan's role as a key cultural and administrative hub in antiquity. Secretary-General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, Mohamed Ismail Khaled, said the discovery reflects the continuous use of the cemetery by various social classes—from elite families interred in tombs atop the plateau to middle-class individuals buried along the slopes. Khaled noted that the inscriptions and artefacts recovered will offer invaluable material for Egyptologists, particularly in studying funerary customs and religious iconography in later periods of ancient Egypt. The newly discovered mummies, including those of children, will undergo CT scans and biological analysis in the upcoming autumn season to further explore their identities, health conditions, and causes of death. Mohamed Abdel-Badie, Head of the Egyptian Antiquities Sector at the Supreme Council of Antiquities, explained that the summit of the hill is home to large subterranean tombs from the Ptolemaic period, initially constructed for the elite and later reused during the Roman era. In previous excavation seasons, the same mission uncovered funerary mastabas and rock-cut tombs in the nearby mountains of Sidi Othman, revealing an architectural style adapted to the area's rugged topography. This latest discovery is part of a broader archaeological programme launched in 2019, jointly led by Professor Patrizia Piacentini, Egyptologist at the University of Milan, and Fahmy Al-Amin, General Director of Antiquities in Aswan. The discoveries made in the vicinity of the Aga Khan Mausoleum continue to highlight the area's immense archaeological value, reaffirming its status as a vital component of Aswan's historical landscape and a key source of knowledge about Egypt's Greco-Roman heritage.
